Today is the first day of the Islamic fasting month Ramadan, which according to the lunar calendar starts ten or eleven days earlier every year. From now on life is a bit slower than usually in Turkey. This year it is maybe even slower because the days are really long and the fasting is broken only at sunset. The nights are the most beautiful time because then everything is happening. People have picnics outside or walk in the cool air. When the mosques are illuminated, and everything is a bit solemn. I remember last year when the merchants in my street shared their first iftar, the food after sunset, with my Armenian-Christian neighbor and me. Especially during Ramadan the food is that little bit more delicious, e.g. when the baker is baking fresh bread in the evening. Since my part of the city is very mixed – until fifteen years ago almost only Christians lived here – it is no problem to eat and drink on the streets at daytime. The cafes open, and there are enough people going there. I welcome this because at the height of summer I could never go without any drink during the day. But then again I’m not religious.

I wish the ones of you who are fasting a happy and blessed Ramadan! Ramadan mübarek!